Team Member Spotlight: Josh Kerns – Leadership, Learning, and Living a Life That Matters

Driving Franchise Success Through Training and Ownership Mindset

Josh Kerns recently stepped into the role of Senior Manager of Franchisee Training for ServiceMaster Clean® in Knoxville, Tennessee, bringing a unique blend of experience and enthusiasm to the position. Before taking on this role, Josh served as a Business Development Consultant and even taught at Academy, drawing on his background as a former franchise owner. “I love working with our franchisees to train and assist them in improving their businesses,” he says. “It’s rewarding to see the impact of our efforts on their growth.”

One of Josh’s proudest accomplishments was helping a franchisee secure a major contract for a 14-story building. “With the help of the team, we were able to assist them in winning the bid,” he recalls. “I was onsite over the week of July 4th to support the startup. It was a great example of teamwork and delivering value.”

Josh starts his mornings with a 6:30 a.m. run, followed by his go-to drink—Diet Mountain Dew. “If I have a packed day, I’ll head to the gas station for a couple of XXL cups,” he laughs. “You’ll see me on calls drinking it all day long.” Before joining the franchise world, Josh spent 12 years in IT, where he oversaw the design and completion of a $1.2 million onsite data center—a fun fact that surprises many of his colleagues.

When it comes to advice, Josh draws inspiration from leadership expert John Maxwell, whose words have shaped his outlook: “When you intentionally use your everyday life to bring about positive change in the lives of others, you begin to live a life that matters.” Josh says, “I’ve used this to focus on adding value to everyone I can.”

“When you intentionally use your everyday life to bring about positive change in the lives of others, you begin to live a life that matters.”

If he could switch jobs for a day, Josh would choose Jesse Cole, owner of the Savannah Bananas. “I’ve always been a big Cincinnati Reds fan, but Jesse’s story is so inspiring. Watching him interact with fans and the team—it would be a blast to run around the stadium.”

Josh’s favorite productivity hack is surprisingly simple: college-ruled spiral notebooks. “I’ve tried going digital, but there’s something about writing things down. Even my kids know—if Dad didn’t write it down, he’s not going to remember!” After a long day, he unwinds by taking walks with his wife around the neighborhood, enjoying time to relax and reconnect.

When asked about his favorite ServiceMaster® Brands Core Value, Josh doesn’t hesitate: “Think Like an Owner.” As a “recovering” owner himself, he explains, “I always ask, ‘If I were an owner, would this add value to my business?’ It keeps me focused on delivering quality.” For Josh, that mindset isn’t just a value—it’s a way of working that defines his approach to training and leadership. It’s clear that his dedication, combined with his team’s diligence, engagement, and adaptability, makes a lasting impact on the franchisees he serves and the organization as a whole.